Obesity is a pro-inflammatory state associated with poor outcomes in acute pancreatitis defined by higher mortality and increasing health care utilization. Weight loss as evidenced after bypass surgery nearly reverses this trend with lower health care utilization and improved outcomes. This was evident despite difficult endoscopic access in the post-bariatric patients where more patients needed non-endoscopic biliary intervention.

What do patients need to know?

Acute pancreatitis is the most common reason for hospitalization in gastroenterology. Gallstones ARE the most common reason for acute pancreatitis in both obese patients and those who have had weight loss surgery (gastric bypass). Morbid obesity portends poor outcomes in those admitted with acute pancreatitis. On the contrary, patients with history of weight loss surgery, when admitted with acute pancreatitis have BETTER outcomes.